Colonial to host New Kent County Fair

Colonial Downs will return to harness racing’s roots by hosting the New Kent County Fair in conjunction with the opening weekend of the 2007 Standardbred season Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16 at the New Kent oval.

“Harness racing and county fairs are a natural fit that have long gone hand in hand in a special slice of Americana. All of us here at Colonial Downs are excited about the opportunity work with the New Kent County Fair to create a tremendous event,” Colonial Downs' general manager Iain Woolnough said.

In addition to the fair festivities, Saturday will feature live racing with a first post of 5 p.m. (ET), a trackside Beer Garden from 2-8 p.m. with live music from Timberwolf, a 5K run and a giant fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. 

The Virginia Racing Commission County Fair 5K Run will be held on the track itself at 8:15 p.m. Saturday night. Registration begins at 7 p.m. and costs $10. The first 100 runners to sign-up will get a free T-shirt.  There will also be a free one-mile fun run for kids 12 and under on the racetrack. 

Sunday’s matinee card begins at 1 p.m. but the festivities kick off at 11:30 a.m. with a breakfast in the paddock featuring horse demonstrations that lead up to several qualifying races at 12 noon.  Sunday will also feature a trackside Beer Garden with live music from the Marsh Grass Band all afternoon.

The New Kent County Fair opens at noon both days and will feature a petting zoo, indoor/outdoor exhibits, a dunking booth, pony rides, barrel train ride, classic car show, giant inflatables, clowns, tasty festival food and hourly door prizes.

Admission to both the fair and the races is just $2 and kids 12 and under are free.

Live racing will continue at Colonial Downs through Nov. 6 on a Saturday-through-Tuesday schedule. Post time is 5 p.m. on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday and 1 p.m. on Sundays. 

For more racing information call (804) 966-7223. For more fair information call (804) 966-9645. (Colonial Downs)

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